When she saw his face, she shrieked with joy and flung herself into his arms. He accordingly wrapped her up in a bear hug, stumbling back from the force of her embrace. They stayed like that for an irrelevant amount of time, until after one last squeeze, he leaned back slightly and smiled down at her.

Giddy with happiness she stood on tiptoes and pecked him on the lips. "I missed you."

"And I you, my love. Did you receive my gifts?"

"I did, I did, but dear, don't you think eighty-one garnets might be rather extravagant?"

He frowned down at her. "Do you not think that a king should lavish his queen with his riches? Besides," his eyes softened, "these tokens, no matter how frivolous, are tokens of my love. When we are parted, I can imagine your surprise and curiosity when you will find the package, and how your eyes will light up when you see what's inside… It is a poor substitute for your presence, but a brief alleviation from the loneliness." He buried his nose in the curve of her neck and murmured, "Love you."

She giggled and squirmed at the tickling sensation and replied softly, "Love you too, but Mother's watching." She felt him straighten and tense. Her mother was standing not twelve feet away, glaring at him.

Her mother sniffed. "Brother."

He narrowed his eyes. "Sister." Turning back to the woman in his arms, he kissed her soundly in full view, tipping her back so her hair brushed the ground. Pulling her upright, he asked, "Do you have everything you need, dearest?"

Still rather dizzy, she grinned cheekily up at him. "I've got you, haven't I?" but hearing her mother clear her throat, she amended, "and my bags are packed." Stepping lightly over to her mother, she smiled and said, "Take care, Mummy. I love you very much."

Her mother, weeping, clung to her, saying, "Persephone, I'll miss you everyday you're gone. Now, remember to write. And if he so much as looks at you funny, let me know." This directed with a scathing look at the man.

"Yes, mum."

"I've got blankets if you ever get cold, too."

"Of course, mum, but — "

"Don't forget, you can always pop up for a visit; just give Hermes a ring and — "

"Mother." She hugged her one last time, before extracting herself from the clutching arms and returning to her husband's side. He immediately encircled her in a territorial hold. "I'll be fine. Farewell!"

With a sudden darkness that cut through the sunshine, they were enveloped in shadow and disappeared.